Residents air mobile phone coverage woes

Buchan residents in south-east Victoria are upset by today's announcement of an upgrade to CDMA mobile technology across Gippsland.

The Victorian Government has contributed $850,000 to help speed up the roll-out of new mobile phone technology that will also mean faster wireless access to the Internet and data services.

But Buchan postmaster Ian Grey says it is only improving coverage in areas that already have it, and more remote communities have again missed out.

Mr Grey says Buchan only had CDMA coverage during the summer bushfires.

"Telstra worked very well...the fires were gone, so was our CDMA coverage, we were the only town they did that to, so we were in a real dead spot all over again - tourism suffers, safety suffers, because we just don't have mobile phone coverage," he said.

But State and Regional Development Minister John Brumby says communications infrastructure is a matter for the Federal Government and phone companies.

Mr Brumby says Buchan does deserve coverage, but the only thing he can do is suggest the town keep pressure on Federal Communications Minister Richard Alston.

"You've got to be careful as a State Government about how much...federal responsibilities you pick up," he said.

"We announced at the last election $10 million that we would put into trial projects in country victoria, we're honoring that commitment, but we can't do everything."

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